I perceive frompractical experience that there are at least 2 typical walking
speeds - for walking as transport - often with a speed of 4-5 mph, and
walking as an activity interacting with other factors (socialising, leisure,
windo shopping &c)
Because so many schemes assume a uniform walking behaviour we see much
conflict and unnecessary congestion plus pedestrian transport often forcing
routes outside safety barriers, and by shortest distance across roads, and
not tolerant of stopping at all (as this all adds to total journey time).
There is clearly much to do in planning walking areas, but I would suggest
that behaviour of fluids in laminar flow situations can give some ideas on
laminar flow of pedestrians in precincts - keeping the transport walking on
clear flow routes away from the eddies around doorways, and allowing those
who walok for transport a smoother passage - after all they may well be going
up to twice the speed of slower walkers and the effect could be seen as
similar to tolerating 35mph vehicles at random lane position on a 70mph dual
carriageway.
Any thoughts - any papers on this around?
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